Detroit Lions Radio Network

The Detroit Lions Radio Network is a network of 36 radio stations (34 in Michigan, one in Toledo, Ohio, and one in Lincoln, Nebraska) that broadcast all of the NFL's Detroit Lions games and related programming. ^[1] All preseason and regular season games are aired live throughout the network.

Flagship stations

The flagship stations are Detroit sister stations WXYT (1270 AM) and WXYT-FM (97.1 FM). If the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, or Detroit Pistons (for whom the stations are also flagships) are playing at the same time, then WXYT-FM will carry the Lions' game, while the Tigers or Red Wings game airs on WXYT-AM or the Pistons game airs on WWJ (950 AM). The Lions and WXYT AM/FM renewed their partnership for three more seasons on October 9, 2009. ^[2]

Announcers

The current announcers are Dan Miller with play-by-play, Jim Brandstatter with color commentary, and Tony Ortiz with sideline reports. WXYT-FM's Gavin Edwards is the studio host; he also does updates of other games around the league.^[1]

Wrap around shows

The network's pre-game show which begins one hour before game-time is called Lions GameDay, in which Miller and Brandstatter, joined by Dave Birkett (Lions beat reporter of The Detroit Free Press) discuss the day's game, discuss previous games, and predict the outcome. Tony Ortiz does a preview of the opponent. Edwards previews other games and reports news from around the league from the studio. The network's post game show includes locker-room interviews with coaches and players by Brandstatter and Ortiz, as well as all press conferences, then the game wrapup by Miller in which he mentions all of the game's statistics and looks ahead to the next game.

Affiliate stations

Games are syndicated by CBS Radio, owner of WXYT-FM and WXYT (AM). The current affiliates and their cities of license are: ^[1]

Michigan

City	Callsign	Frequency
Detroit	WXYT-FM	97.1 FM
Detroit	WXYT	1270 AM
Alpena	WKJZ	94.9 FM
Ann Arbor	WAAM	1600 AM
Battle Creek	WBCK	930 AM
Battle Creek	WRCC	1400 AM
Big Rapids	WBRN	1460 AM
Coldwater	WTVB	1590 AM
Escanaba	WYKX	104.7 FM
Flint	WTRX	1330 AM
Grand Haven	WGHN	92.1 FM
Grand Rapids	WBBL-FM	107.3 FM
Hillsdale	WCSR	1340 AM
Hillsdale	WCSR-FM	92.1 FM
Holland	WHTC	1450 AM
Houghton	WCCY	1400 AM
Iron Mountain	WMIQ	1450 AM
Kalamazoo	WKZO	590 AM
Lansing	WVFN	730 AM
Ludington	WMOM	102.7 FM
Marquette	WDMJ	1320 AM
Muskegon / Whitehall	WWSN	97.5 FM
Newberry	WNBY	1450 AM
Petoskey	WJML	750 AM
Port Huron	WPHM	1380 AM
Saginaw	WKQZ	93.3 FM
Sandusky	WTGV-FM	97.7 FM
South Haven	WGMY	940 AM
St. Ignace / Cheboygan	WIDG	940 AM
St. Joseph	WSJM	1400 AM
St. Joseph	WSJM-FM	94.9 FM
Sault Ste. Marie	WSOO	1230 AM
Tawas City	WQLB	103.3 FM
Traverse City	WCCW	1310 AM

Nebraska

City	Callsign	Frequency
Lincoln	KLIN	1400 AM

Ohio

City	Callsign	Frequency
Toledo	WLQR	1470 AM

Satellite radio

Games are also aired on Sirius XM Radio

Internet radio

Games are also broadcast online at flagship station WXYT-FM's website, and on NFL Field Pass.

History

Main article: List of Detroit Lions broadcasters

• Dan Miller has been the radio play-by-play voice of the Lions since 2005. ^[1] Miller succeeded Mark Champion, who had called play-by-play for the team from 1989-2004. ^[3]

• Van Patrick called play-by-play from 1950 until his death in 1974. ^[4]

• Other past announcers for Lions radio include Frank Beckmann and Bob Reynolds.

• Jim Brandstatter has been the Lions' radio color commentator since 1987. ^[1]

• Tony Ortiz has been providing Lions sideline reports since 2001. ^[1] He produced Lions games broadcasts from 1991-1994. ^[5]

• WXYT-AM was the sole flagship station of the network from 1998-2004.

• In 2005, the Lions' flagship became an FM station for the first time in their history, when a long term agreement was signed with WKRK.

• Detroit's WWJ was the team's flagship station prior to 1998, and continued to simulcast WXYT-AM's broadcasts prior to the team's move to WKRK. Prior to 1989, WJR had served as the Lions' radio flagship.

• Former names of the network include "The WXYT 1270 Detroit Lions Radio Network", "The WKRK Detroit Lions Radio Network", and "The Live 97.1 Detroit Lions Radio Network" (WKRK-FM is WXYT-FM's former callsign, and Live 97.1 is one of its former brandings).

See also

• List of XM Satellite Radio channels
• List of Sirius Satellite Radio stations
• NFL on Westwood One

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Detroit Lions Official Site: Detroit Lions Radio Network Affiliates
2. ^ Lions staying with WXYT as flagship station Detroit News October 9, 2009
3. ^ Detroit Pistons Official Site - Announcers
4. ^ Van Patrick On The Air
5. ^ WWJ Radio - Our Staff